Angry residents from Montagu Gardens were nearly thrown out of a council meeting this week as tempers reached boiling point over plans to relocate a youth offending centre.

Fury erupted at the Beddington and Wallington area committee meeting on Wednesday night, when it was agreed the centre would move from Stanley Park Road to the residential area in Wallington.

Residents had to be repeatedly silenced during the debate, which has sparked fears over vandalism, disturbance, disorder and increased congestion. More than 150 people have now signed a petition against the development as many are worried about a repeat of the mayhem' caused when the Montagu Gardens site was previously a children's care home.

Neighbouring ward councillor Coun Colin Hall told the meeting eight people in Stanley Park Road had told him they had not encountered any problems with the current youth offending centre, while some did not even know it was there.

But Councillor Graham Whitham, of Woodcote Ward, said: "Stanley Park Road is a public throughfare and is different to Montagu Gardens, which is a residential area."

Coun Whitham requisitioned the issue yesterday which means the process will now be put on hold until the next scheduled development control committee, on January 16.

He said: "I was appalled the residents, who have legitimate concerns, were not allowed to speak because of petty bureaucracy."

One resident shouted at the meeting: "We pay your wages and as ratepayers we have a right to speak out." Another shouted: "There are schools all around the area, this is a farce."

But Councillor John Dodwell said: "I feel the residents are harping back to when it was a residential home for children and it attracted people from all around who did create mayhem.

"But this will be used primarily only in the day time so they will not stay and there will not be a large menacing group."

He added: "There was no increase in criminal activity where it was before. Not all of the children will be criminals as a lot of the youth offending work is preventative."

If the scheme is agreed, the day centre would be visited on an appointment basis by 12 youth offenders or those at risk of offending, aged from 10 to 17.

Residents voiced concerns over traffic increase, noise and insufficient parking, as the amount of employees working at the centre could rise from the nine who are based there now, to 25.

These would include social workers, health workers, probation officers and a full time police officer.

The centre's planned move from Stanley Park Road has already caused controversy, as neighbours are against its proposed replacement a home for children who have had disruptive lives.

December 7, 2001 16:20